President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to return to the
country on Friday (today) after spending about two months in London, United
Kingdom.
Buhari had left Nigeria on January 19 on a medical vacation.
His Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi
Adesina, disclosed the President’s imminent return in a statement on Thursday.
Adesina was silent on the time the President is expected to
land in Nigeria but our correspondent learnt that he would arrive in the early
hours of the day.
The three-paragraph statement read, “President Muhammadu
Buhari is expected to return to the country tomorrow, Friday, March 10, 2017
(today).
“The President left the country on January 19, 2017 for a
vacation, during which he had routine medical check-ups. The holiday was
extended based on doctors’ recommendation for further tests and rest.
“President Buhari expresses appreciation to teeming
Nigerians from across the country, and beyond, who had prayed fervently for
him, and also sent their good wishes.”
With the closure of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport,
Abuja, the President is expected to land at the Kaduna International Airport.
Meanwhile, Buhari on
Thursday received the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, in London.
The meeting took place in Abuja House.
Buhari posted pictures of himself and his guest on his
Twitter handle, @MBuhari on Thursday afternoon.
The President wrote,
“Very pleased to welcome the Most Revd. and Rt. Hon. @JustinWelby, Archbishop
of Canterbury, to Abuja House this afternoon.”
Buhari was decked in
a golden-yellow prayer gown and a white skull cap while Welby was in black suit
with clerical shirt and collar.
They were both seated
in the pictures.
In one of the
pictures, Buhari and Welby were exchanging a handshake.
Since he left the
country on January 19, the Presidency has been releasing photographs of those
who visited the President in its quest to dispel the rumour of Buhari’s death.
Those who have
visited Buhari include the national leader of the ruling All Progressives
Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; the party’s former national chairman, Chief Bisi
Akande; and Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun; President of the Senate,
Bukola Saraki; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; and the
Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan.
The President had
also made telephone calls to some state governors and some presidential aides.
By Olalekan Adetayo
